“March into Yellow” is to raise awareness for women with endometriosis.

The month of March is dedicated to drawing worldwide attention to this condition and women are encouraged to wear yellow to work on 10 March to show support and to help raise funds for Endometriosis Australia for much needed research. www.marchintoyellow.org.au

Endometriosis is a common disease in which tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body.

10% of women suffer with endometriosis at some point in their life with the disease often starting in teenagers. Symptoms are variable and this may contribute to the 7-10 year delay in diagnosis. Common symptoms include pelvic pain that puts life on hold around or during a woman’s period. It can damage fertility.

While endometriosis most often affects the reproductive organs it is frequently found in the bowel and bladder and has been found in muscle, joints, the lungs and the brain.

In a Australian government report, endometriosis is reported to cost Australian society $7.7 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare costs.